Question for the Architects out there

Tim M

Tim M

PRESIDENT, Member # 015
GCC Member
Location (City)
St. Charles
First Name
Tim
Last Name
Mauldin
I want to build a 12' x 14' shed with a gabled roof. The roof trusses need to span the 14' width of the shed to match the roof of my house. Is there any reason I can't do this? See image below for what I'm thinking. 12' deep x 14' wide with the door in the 14' wall offset to one side or in the middle. Also thinking of going taller than 8' studs so I can put in some overhead 'loft' shelving. I've attached the plans too. Any other modifications you see?
 
Easy - peasy

Tim
Easy to do, a 14' truss is very basic - to the point some would tell you don't use trusses, just stick build it.

You'll need to know the span (14'), the overhang you want and the rise of the roof. With that, run over to Menards, they can give you a price on them

Paul
 
I can't remember how to figure the pitch. I want it to match the house roof line. Will do some research on the interwebs.
 
Pitch

Pitch is measured as the amount of rise in inches in 12 inches. Couple ways to measure

1) Hold a framing square against the edge of the roof so the top leg is level, the side leg is hanging down. Slide it out till your measuring point (roof edge or drip edge) is at the 12" mark. Then look at the vertical leg and see what that same measuring edge relates to in inches.

2) Hold a 12" long board level with the end touching your roof surface. Measure down from the other end, bottom of that board to the roof. That distance is the pitch

As I recall your house, the pitch is going to be somewhere between 4 in 12 and 6 in 12. They typically do it in even increments (4,5,6) but with today's builders, you'll need to measure it to be sure.

Take a picture of one of your gables, from as far away as possibleand as perpendicular to the wall as possible (trying to eliminate the perspective) and post it. I should be able to make a pretty good guess from measuring the picture.

Paul



Paul
 
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Sounds like a new type of build party. What's it going to store? Cars, or just equipment so you can have more room in the existing one. Wouldn't take long.
 
Tim, you need about 5 acres so you could have a 'man' sized shed, 30x50 or more. :)
 
Rich :D Yes! Dan, I always need help! Steve, about $1,800. Paul, amazingly enough, there's an app for that. It uses your phone and camera. Pitch guage is the name. It appears the roof I want to match has a 6x12 pitch according to this app.

So, now, the math. I have a 14' span, a 6x12 pitch, anyone want to draw up some roof trusses for me?
 
You have all the info you need except the amount of overhang on each side.Take those measurement to a truss company or whoever sells the trusses, they will take it from there.
Let me know when your ready to build.
I would check with the authorities to see if there is a maximum square footage allowed for an unattached building before going any further.
 
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I'm in the county, usually I don't check. Better to ask for forgiveness than permission :D
 
Don't put to many nails in it then, I have seen them make 2 separate people tear down their decks to comply with codes!
 
Check

Tim
14' 6in12 trusses are going to be dirt cheap, you can't build them for what you can buy them for. The trick in building trusses is the splice plates and the way they get applied. You'd have to build that part from plywood and construction adhesive. When you got done, you'd have $200 into a truss you could have bought for $75. Take the data to a local supplier (Menards, or there is a truss company in Valley Park) and get a quote. (don't ask me how I know this)

With that said, have you been over to the new Menard's store and looked at their pre-cut sheds. They may have a kit that will fit your needs.

Regarding permits: Check the Saint Charles county website and also your subdivision covenants. There are restrictions you will have to abide by. If you don't put it in the ground (concrete floor and footings) but build it on treated lumber and then just sit it in place, the rules are different. Better to check before you get too far. Not saying you need to go the full route, but be aware of what the rules are. It may affect the way you do things.

Paul
 
Tim, it's very straight forward. A 14 truss with simple overhangs would be a very cheap off the rack truss. (Not a big box store). Most lumber yards will get them for you quickly. They make a 9 precut anything taller is tough to find straight for 2x4s. If you need help with plans let me know.

On pitch all you need are two tape measures one horizontal and one vertical. Measure at the 1' mark to determine your pitch.

If you have a hoa, they may make you match the construction of the house. You can get. Good idea by looking around our neighborhood.

If you need help or plans or permit, let me know.
 
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The plans are above in the link. What I want to do is make it taller inside to that I can make some loft storage. So, I'm thinking the shelves would be at a hair over 6' so I can walk underneath. As mentioned above, I believe the pitch is a 6x12, so that would match the house roof, which is why i want the trusses to go across the 14' width. I have a couple of feet in depth, and 4' in width to play with. I'm just trying to decide on the type of door or doors. I want it at least 4' wide.
 
Tim, just a thought on the doors, a lot of riding mowers have at least a 48" deck. I don't know the size of your yard, but something to keep in mind.

What you describe will work with no problems, it's plenty strong, even to go a couple of feet taller.
 
My riding mower and 4 wheeler are both under 48", but you're right probably 2 doors would be best. So, 2x4's come in 8', 10' and 12' lengths. To get the loft storage, I'm thinking 10' wall studs, but need to make sure I don't go too high with the roof.
 
Tim, not sure how your county is, but "forgiveness" is generally not in their vocabulary. As Keith said, tear-down or pay a stiff fine. Even if it's allowed, but doesn't meet code, you could be in trouble. Do yourself a favor and avoid the head-aches / lawyer fees and get a permit before you start. Probably need an electrical permit too.
Also, if you ever go to sell it, it could come back to bite you many years later.

Sounds cool, when's the barn raising? (high enough for a lift??) :cool:
 
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